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27 July 2009
Successful Intentions Newsletter
Hi ,
Do you need a brain upgrade?
Fortunately for you, IQ has been steadily rising over the past 60 years. So much so that your parents are probably around 9 to 15 points duller than you, and your children are likely to be 9 to 15 points brighter!
This is partly because of strong feedback loops between performance and the environment. Over the past 60 years innovation has been a fundamental driver of economic prosperity. Professional work roles enhance the ability to be innovative. And enhancing cognitive skills becomes a prerequisite for being a good parent - which encourages smarter kids!
But what sort of operating system is your brain running? Here are some clues:
- If you were the oldest or an only child in your family you're more likely to end up in an intellectual career, be more creative, but more likely to develop a brain tumour!
- On the other hand, if you were the youngest of the family you're more likely to be funnier, but also more likely to be gay!
- If you were born during the summer months you tend to be more optimistic and open to opportunities than those born in the wintertime.
- If you had a "likable name" at school your teachers probably awarded you higher grades for your assignments.
- If you believe in paranormal phenomena you're "right-brained", and on word association tests you can make more connections more quickly than skeptics (but too far and you might be schizophrenic)!
OK , how do you upgrade to brain 2.0? Here are some tips:
- Video games enhance problem solving in visual and symbolic contexts. And enhanced problem solving skills have become necessary, even to fully enjoy your leisure activities!
- The brain operates best when blood glucose levels are stable. Consuming complex carbohydrates rather than simple sugars can help stabilize glucose concentrations and guard against mental lapses. Fish oil and iron-containing foods are also good food for thought. To stay mentally sharp, eat breakfast and snack often throughout the day.
| Food and emotions are linked in all of us. Sadness and anxiety can trigger bursts of overeating or indulgence in sweet and fatty foods. Take the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire to gauge your emotional-eating behaviour. Score each of the following statements from 1 to 5 (1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, and 5 = very often): |
| * I desire to eat when depressed or disappointed
| | * I desire to eat when feeling lonely or let down
| | * I desire to eat when worried or emotionally upset
| | * I desire to eat when restless or bored
| | * I desire to eat when afraid
| | * I desire to eat when irritated or angry |
| Higher sum scores reflect a greater tendency toward emotional eating. Women who experience eating attacks often have very high scores. |
- Use it or lose it. "Neurons that fire together, wire together!" Whatever you focus your repeated attention on will become your "hardware". So, practice a wide range of mental activities such as crossword puzzles, studying, reading, and even watching complex detective stories. Enrich your environment by traveling, going to theatre or Opera, volunteering, learning and applying creative arts, and staying curious about the world!
- Find a good coach! Studies show that particular types of psychotherapy not only work as well or better than antidepressants, but they also produce significant brain changes! OK, so coaching isn't psychotherapy, but there's a strong inference that engaging in extended, goal-directed, challenging, reflective dialogue with a trained coaching psychologist will likely change your brain - for the better!
If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend (subscribe here).
And read my "Wisdom Circle" blog for thoughts on global consciousness!
Keep your intentions clear,
Peter Webb
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